The Villainess And The Strongest knight

ch 22. Duel

The cheer of the people..cheering for the defeat of Desmond, of course they will choose the prince over us.. because of the so called evidence

"You don't have to do this.." I said as I look at Desmond who is stretching, he's wearing his battle garments with his sword and shield resting on the bench

"You know I can't just stop this right? Also in doing this for your reputation"

"But..do you think Thomas would be fine..." The information that we get from miss Emellie...we know where Anna is..and Thomas went there to save her

"You do not need to worry about him.. I know him since we were kids..he have secrets that I only know..and those secrets are useful in this situation, he will save Anna, you don't need to worry about them."

"Still..I can't help my self but to worry..not only for them..but also for you, I don't want you to get hurt over this..if we tell the prince about the information that we have-"

"After all that happen you still think he will believe us? I'm sure you know him as this this nice man..but if that's the case..then he is easily manipulated by those around him..also, it's not just me that you don't want to get hurt are you? You also don't want the prince to get hurt"

He's right.. I don't want to admit it..but Desmond is right about this, they are using the fact that he like Anna to manipulate him and clouding his judgement..and I also don't want either of them to get hurt over all of this..but I need to trust Desmond's judgement..he had save me a lot and he's one of the only person I can rely on.. "just don't push yourself too hard" I said before I leave him alone, and went to the private seat. I also need to keep my guard up..always

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Walking onto the arena holding my sword and shield in hand. Im lying if I said that I'm not nervous, of course I am.. not only im against the prince known for his destructive magical power.. but is also the main male lead of the story, but there's no need to doubt myself now, I started this duel..and I will give it my all

"You know.. I was disappointed at you, I invited you to become my knight as I see potential in you.. but you lack judgement " said the prince

He really is dumb.. first of all it was Cassandra who recommended me to you..and second, you don't know what happening at the moment

"Enough talk, I came here to fight not speak"

"Fine.. don't blame me if you get hurt"

And they started the match

The prince has an elegant fighting style, fitting for royalty, he's using a single long sword with a golden cross guard and pummel, the blame is..clearly mithril, the same material as mine.

He attacked me first with various thrust and slashes but I manage to block them all as I keep my guard up. When I see an opening I quickly countered with a horizontal sword strike to his torso. This is where I see why this prince is feared..his skills are far better than the others, he's trained by various sword masters back home before he got here the rumors said, and with those skills of his he easily dodges my attack

Jumping backwards and casting a spell, three flames shaped like arrow lunges towards me with incredible speed. I block 1 and dodged two by simply tilting my body to the side

He then casted a spell called dragon's breath, it's called like that as it simulate a breath of a fire dragon, basically a flame thrower. a smart move considering that I can't block it with my shield because of its properties..and it's not as weak as those fire arrows that he shot before

I make a run for it, onto the right not letting the flames of his magic touch my body,once his spell is finish I charged towards him and with a flick of his finger, a pillar of fire appears in front of me,blocking my way and it also hide the prince from my sight

I stop on my tracks and regain my footing from the suddenly stop. I didn't notice that the prince is already in front of me, as he is immune with his own flame, he jump right in the pillar of fire and swings his sword at me.

The battle became a close quarters battle, with him trying to overwhelm my defense with many strikes from his sword... But it seems that my shield had become an annoyance to him that so suddenly I was push back by his flames...he is indeed a master of his magic craft. To be able to push me with only flame,Good thing I my shield took the brunt, but I can feel it's hotness.

"You are a formidable foe Desmond, but now I shall finish this fight with my strongest magic!" He stretches his hand forward and casted a spell

I charge forward, I can't let him cast it. He's casting an explosive fire ball at me!

But it was too late, it hit my shield shattering it, the force of the explosion had push me back away..my shield arm has burns..

..... I can see him casting another one, I can't win like this.. if I keep dodging his magic I'll lose a lot of stamina.. and it doesn't help that the royal family is known to have a enormous supply of magic power..so I know he won't be out if gas soon.

Looking at the people, they are cheering for my defeat... No, not all of them.. Cassandra stood up her chair after that stupid display from my part...I can't lose..why am I even fighting the prince? Because he's annoying..but it's also for Cassandra.. she didn't deserve all of that to happen to her..so I need to win

I stand up, and put on a stance, holding my sword with two hand and the blade in front of me..concentrate.. you still have that Desmond.. you still have this sword

"You should just give up, I don't want to hurt Anna's friend" said the prince as he has the fire ball ready to launch

I mind him..and I just close my eyes...feeling my surroundings.. and feeling the blade on my two hands.. I still don't know if I can do this.. but it is worth to try

"Not gonna talk? So be it!" He launches the fireball at me

"Desmond! Dodge it! Stop this now! I don't want you to get hurt further!" I heard Cassandra shouted..sorry..but I can't just give up, not with this stupid prince as my enemy

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SLASH..and explosion
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THE ARENA...

is silent ..

They do not know what they had seen..

The fireball...

Had split in two and explode from different direction..

I had done it, I cut his magic with my sword, all that training paid off

"Wah- " the prince doesn't know what to do, and just launch fireballs after fireballs..it seems that the expectable of someone cutting a magic makes him not think straight

I kept running forwards, dodging, cutting, and deflecting his fireball..the magic that is suppose to explode in impact.. doesn't explode when it touch my blade.. this sword that was gifted to me by Cassandra, the mithril sword that she gave me..is the one that will win me this bout.

When the prince is finally at range, he tried to attack me with his blade, but him spamming fireballs had took a toll as the grip on his sword was weaker and I manage to disarm him. I kick him down and step on his chest, the tip of my sword right on his neck

"I win" I said..panting over the exhausting display that I had shown them..the crowd became silent.. as I stand over the crown prince as the winner of our bout

TO BE CONTINUED